Reviews

The Informers by Bret Easton Ellis

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gloomyboygirl's review against another edition

3.0

Despite the mid rating, I liked this a lot. The final two stories were just so weird and unnecessary that it brought down the whole book for me-- tbh a lot of the 3rd to last did too but it is what it is. A light parody of white upper crust LA in the 80s in all it's immoral, drug-induced, and sex-crazed glory. Everyone sucks so much due to privilege and hedonism combining but everyone is also human in their emotional lives. And when you think about it, isn't privileged white Americana the same as being a vampire? I am sick of heroin usage being shorthand for morally off the rails human being, though.

Probably would be 4 stars without the last two stories and 5 stars without the last three. I apparently love how Ellis writes and criticizes high society and nihilism is a philosophical thread I like to indulge in despite not believing in it. But the intense violence and in your face surrealism of the closing stories flopped for me, unfortunately.

stefo's review

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Why am I subjecting myself to more Ellis? Honestly because its easy (but not light) to consume and I have American Psycho and Lunar Park sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be read once I'm ready to dive deep into Ellis' bullshit. Judging by the rating (even though the average rating on Goodreads doesn't really mean much) I didn't actually expect to enjoy this (enjoy is a strong word, more like "fulfil my morbid curiosity"). I did like the idea of a short story collection, especially with a writer who overstays his welcome most of the time, so most of the stories felt to the point and not too brooding or needlessly long. That being said, this is no genius book, this is yet another fucked up telling of urban legends, most likely real life inspired events and mostly believable 80's LA depravity, real fucked up shit. The blurb the audiobook had was "intense narrative that blurs genders, generations and even identities" and I guess I have to agree, it is precisely that. So far the best I've read by Bret and 7/10 isn't saying much but I'd take this any day over Less Than Zero. Read this if you wanna get an idea of what this guy is on about and for the love of God, don't go to LA.

togata's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

int0thefloodagain's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

An obnoxious book written for rich people about rich people problems with a side of murder and whatever.

narniaru's review against another edition

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3.0

Bret Easton Ellis has got to be one of the few authors I can read and think "that is poetry" and "that is the sickest thing I have every read" in one paragraph.

Wonderfully done thogh